Queer Awareness Week

By Alaysha Germaine

Horizon Reporter

On Monday May 10, Whatcom began their celebration of Queer Awareness Week, annually put on by our own queer straight alliance club. This time it began with a gathering of various health organizations for straight and queer students in Syre Center including Village Vida Center, Evergreen AIDS Foundation and others.

Tuesday hosted a film festival showing “The Celluloid Closet,” and Wednesday held a Q&A panel in Syre auditorium. The panel was made up of QSA members and was open to anyone with a little curiousity.

Thursday May 13, will hold an outdoor candelight vigil outside Syre at 8 p.m. to honor and remember all those within the queer community who have been victims of hate crimes, and Friday will be the Drag and Variety Show.

The show begins at 6 p.m. and ends at 9, and will be held in Syre auditorium. Door prizes range from  themed gist baskets to gift certificates from a variety of places ranging from bookstores to “Lovers.” All the proceeds from the event are going to be donated to PFLAG or Parents Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays.

“I think the show is going to be a lot of fun!” said Susan Lonac, an advisor for QSA. “It promises to be a lively evening, probably even a little outrageous and risque.”

Aside from the drag show, there will be performances from dancers and singers, a drag race, a few MC’s, and you can even auction your friends off  to be dressed up!

“The QSA club provides support and friendship for a group that still, even today faces discrimination,” said Lonac, “This week serves to educate and inform students about the lives and experiences of queer people, here and elsewhere.”

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *